Thursday, October 05, 2006

"The Orange and the Bleck"

Flyers 0 Penguins 4

The Philadelphia Flyers kicked off their 40th season in the worst possible way last night. They were beat by the (perhaps formerly) hapless Pittsburgh Penguins 4-0. Starting the season the way the ended the last season making fans burry their faces in their hands.

Sure its only one game out of 82, and they always seem to get beat in the opener, however you can't ignore the signs of trouble here. They went 0-10 on the powerplay which is enough to make you sick to your stomach. They didn't score once. Their terrible system of having players stand motionless instead of skating during the man advantage seems to still be in place for some odd reason.

This is officially the beginning of the end for Flyers goalie Robert Esche who was awful tonight. It's well known that he is a huge head case and gets down easily. He is fairly weak minded and is easily set off. I doubt he will ever eat spinach again. It's clear the people high up favor Antero Nittymaki over Esche, so much so they are trying to convince him to play through the pain of his hip and blow off surgery. They would rather a dopped up on pain killer Nitty over Esche.

The defense is a disgrace, plain and simple. Freddy Meyer spent the entire night spinning around and watching the puck end up in his own net. With Lar Johnson returning soon from a sprained ankle I bet Meyer is sent back to the Phantoms. If Johnson isn't ready to go for Saturday's home opener vs the Rangers expect new comer Riley Cote to step in. Cote, is supposed to be a rough and tumble type d-men.

Debuts of Geoff Sanderson, Kyle Calder, Nolan Baumgartner and the return of Boyd Kane was soured if not non-existent. Sanderson had a few good plays, and Bamgartner a mid-game scrap but certainly they didn't seem to make the team looking and better than the train wreck that was the 2005-06 team.

Carter, Richards and Calder were supposed to be white hot line. They did nothing. The deuces Wild, were more like the deuces LAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAME.

GM Clarke clearly could see the writing on the wall, and ripped the team in Sunday Philly inquirer. It's pretty clear that there might be a chemistry problem here, and a still big trouble when it comes to the special teams.

The Flyers must regroup quickly in time for the home opener vs the Rangers. This will kick off a home and home with the jerks to the north.

All, and all a pretty piss poor showing by the orange and bleck.

Wednesday, October 04, 2006

"Somewhere Over the Delaware"

Message From Royce: I'm out of state on business half the time. I've been thinking about catching the eagles game in Jersey. Soon things will settle down at the studio and I'll be able to come by if it's okay. We can order pizzas and drink beer. Maybe I'll bring some microbrew. I'll show you some cards tricks I've learned. It'll be a hoot! ---- Guys did Royce sell out to "The Man"?

"I Will Long Wait Them!"

HOW did i go from a "short wait" till a "long wait" in waiting for X-men 3 to arrive via netflix. I won't get it till next are week at least! I still haven't seen this movie, my weekend is ruined! Ruined!

Tuesday, October 03, 2006

"Blades of Steel!"


The NHL starts the 2006-07 season Wednesday October 4th! The Flyers start their season on Thursday with their first home game Saturday night.

Put your arms in the air the greatest sport in the world is starting a new season.

Sunday, October 01, 2006

"Why Does It Always Rain On Me?"


It was just typical Philly sports I guess. Despite that fact that the Phillies GM told the fans and media in July, basically that the team was done for the year.He added 2007 was going to be just as bad, so season ticket holders should just slit their wrists. The Phillies ended up playing meaningful baseball in September.

This time last week the Phillies actually had the Wild Card spot. Things went sour from there. Losing that game in hand to the Astros, made me think we were in trouble. Despite the fact that the Phillies didn't get eliminated till yesterday (Saturday) they were done Thursday night lets face it.

In typical WTF Philly fashion the game started about 15 mins before midnight because of downpours in DC where they were to take on the Nationals. The Nationals mind you were so, far out of it they likely just wanted to go home to their nice warm beds, however they managed to beat the Phillies. Many people went to bed that night thinking that the Phillies were rained out and no one watched the game that pretty much dampened (pun intended) the Wild Card dream. Oh yeah and LA one of the teams there were chasing scored flipping 19 runs! and let up 11!

Okay, so its all over. But the season had some good memories. Like Jimmy Rollins carry over hit streak from last season (36 games) and Chase Utley's hit streak not long after (35 games). Aaron Rowand smashing into the wall, and busting up his face. Cole Hammels proving he will be a pretty damn good pitcher. People who hated the 2005 squad couldn't help but like this team a lot better. Considering Bobby Abreau and Bell are gone. Also, likely Burrell and Liberthal likely played their last game for the fighting Phils.

It can't go with out mention the emerage of a superstar in the Philadelphia sport world in 1st baseman Ryan Howard. One of the best athletes the city has had in ages. For awhile when he was hitting homerun after homerun. You really had to stop what you were doing when he was at bat.

Jay, you are the baseball expert I would really like to hear your take on this season and next season. Clearly, they need pitching and a catcher. Could next year be the year given their young core players?

At any rate despite the fact that the Phillies were fun to watch again, it kind of sucks that the no-layoffs for you streak is now 13 years( that is half of my life time). At least instead of sitting over a beer with a friend this summer for the first time since I can remember we actually talked about the current phillies status with out someone going into a fit of rage. Or, of course talking about that lovable 1993 team, that DIDN'T win the world series. That resulted in a certain blogger who should remain nameless crying himself to sleep that night.

I don't I said earlier in the season about games we should have won that would come back and bite us, thinking if we made the wildcard it would be by the skin of our teeth. But, somehow I think there might be more to it than that. I don't something more..sinister or perhaps evil....OH NO, No!.

"Tucker Goes Banana's"

I bought a banana Tree for my apartment for like 3 dollars. It is tiny now, but its supposed to grow to three feet and sprout bananas. It's going to rock. I don't know how long it will take though. However, when its time. It's bananas for everyone!

You guys should start a pool on how long it will take for the banana plant to die. Likey becauseI lose all interest in it and forget to water it or plot it in a bigger pot. Anyway, right now I got a flipping banana tree in my apartment and it's going to rock!